Life & numbers

For all the fans travelling to Ukraine EURO 2012 to support their national teams, a case of Anthrax was detected in the central Ukraines Cherkassy region on May 18.

12 people, who were in contact with the sick cow, are now under medical supervision. Specialists are trying to clarify the source and routes of transmission of the agent of the disease. After hundreds of Measles cases in Ukraine, along came the Anthrax.

The reporting has been detected only in Russian and Ukranian so far. Check the following website (you can use the Google Translate on the site)

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About 300 pilots from all over Europe protested today in front of European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in Cologne, Germany. Pilots wearing sleeping masks and carrying signs "Sleepwalking into Disaster" showed their concerns about regulations proposed by EASA on implementing rules on Flight and Duty Time Limitations and other requirements for commercial air transport, commonly known as FTL regulations. Organized by the European Cockpit Association (ECA), protesters are demanding that EASA rules on flying and duty times should take into consideration scientific evidence on pilot fatigue and that the proposal is reducing safety standards in Europe and putting the lives of passengers at risk.

In one of EASAs official press releases Mr. Goudou, EASA Executive Director, says " In addressing fatigue, the Agency aims to find a well-balanced set of rules, which ensure a safe work environment for crews and promote the high safety standards of European civil aviation."

Protesters in a good mood

Pilots and crew wearing sleeping masks

Fatigue can kill!

Sleepwalking into Disaster

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"Dear friends" Vladimir Putin (just like in May 2000) started his inauguration speech today at the Kremlin where he, for the third time in the history of Russia, became the president. Exactly like in 2000, Putin, at the beginning of his speech, mentioned how much responsibility he feels for his COUNTRY and his PEOPLE and that he will do everything to keep the trust of the people.

It almost goes without saying, that the issue of DEMOCRACY was brought up, but it is the STABILITY and CONTINUITY that counts most. Of course he mentioned our great history, difficult past, decisive years to come and hopes in a great, promising future for each single citizen of Russia. He continued by saying that "We will achieve our goals if we are a united and cohesive nation, if we cherish our Motherland, strengthen Russian democracy, constitutional rights and freedoms, encourage citizens' participation in governing the country, in shaping the national agenda." But let me stop here for a moment.....how about Russian gay movement protesters that are constantly rejected, attacked, censored and can't even publicly demonstrate their rights? What about arrests of thousands of protesters for "Fair Election" including many journalists and political figures? Aren't they trying to "participate in governing the country, shaping the nation's agenda"?

One thing actually stroke me in his speech. In 2000 Putin appealed to people who voted for a different candidate, saying that we should still work together for our common future. Who knows why our newly elected President did not even wished to bring this topic up in his 2012 inauguration speech?

Nothing new in this world..... Nothing new in Putin's speech..... Nothing new in Putin's presidency?

"Dear friends,

Assuming the Presidency of the Russian Federation, I understand all my responsibilities to my country. Its interests, safety, welfare of citizens of the country have always been and will always remain for me above everything else. I will do everything to earn the trust of millions of citizens. I believe that the meaning of my life and my duty is to serve my motherland, serve our people, whose support encourages and helps to solve the most complex and difficult tasks.

Together we have gone through a long and difficult path, we have believed in ourselves, in our force, we have strengthened the country, regained the dignity of a great nation, the world saw a revival of Russia, and this is the result of the efforts of our people, common hard work, where there is a personal contribution of each of you. Today we have all to move forward, to build up: a capable and growing state, a strong economic and social base, active and responsible civil society. I see a great merit of Dmitry Medvedev in that. His presidency has provided the continuity and sustainability of the country, gave further impulses to the modernization of all aspects of our lives. Ahead of him there are very complex and responsible tasks. I wish him good luck.

Today we are entering a new phase of national development, we need to solve the problems of a completely different level, of different quality and size. The coming years will be decisive for the fate of Russia in the decades ahead. And we all need to understand that the life of future generations, the historical perspective of the state and our nation depends today mainly on us, on the real progress in creating a new economy and modern standards of living, on our efforts to care and support people and Russian families, on our persistence to arrange the huge Russian territory from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean, on our ability to become leaders and the center of attraction for the whole of Eurasia.

We will achieve our goals if we are a united and cohesive nation, if we cherish our Motherland, strengthen Russian democracy, constitutional rights and freedoms, encourage citizens' participation in governing the country, in shaping the national agenda. The desire of each of us for a better life should be embedded in the joint work for the prosperity of the country. We will succeed if we rely on a solid foundation of cultural and spiritual traditions of our multinational people, on our ancient history, on the values that have always been the moral basis of our lives, if each of us lives according to conscience, faith and love for our homeland and our loved ones, taking care of our children's happiness and well-being of our parents. We want and we will live in a democratic country where everyone has the freedom and space for applying one's talent and labor. We want and we will be living in the successful Russia, which is respected worldwide as a reliable, open, fair and predictable partner. I believe in the power of our common goals and ideals, in our determination to transform the country by the joint actions of citizens, in our common wish for freedom, truth and justice.We are ready for future tests and future challenges. Russia has a great history and also a great future. And we will work with the faith in soul, with a sincere and pure thoughts.

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The following map, created on TargetMap, shows a divorce rate in Europe in 2010. The Data was taken from ROSSTAT - Russian State Institute of Statistics.

As seen on the map, the divorce rate in Europe, especially in countries like Italy or Ireland is much lower than in Russia. A majority of European countries usually have compulsory waiting periods before the finalization of a divorce. They also have compulsory counseling that must be followed by the divorcing couple prior to finalization of the divorce. These are only two reasons behind the lower divorce rate in Europe. In addition, in countries like Poland or Spain, there is a huge percentage of Christians, who usually do not look to divorce as a solution to a problem in a marriage.